Chapter 1478

The fire preparation time before the attack was very short. It was only ten minutes. Before the rocket battalion could cover the German defensive position with another round of rocket fire, the old Colonel hastily gave the order to attack.

I could not help frowning when I saw countless commanders and fighters, armed and shouting, leaping out of their hiding places and rushing towards the German defensive positions in the distance. Because according to the information I had before I came here, the enemy had built solid fortifications outside chernovitzer, and the dozens of cannons equipped by the two artillery regiments could not destroy the German defense system in ten minutes.

Thinking of this, I turned to look at the old colonel and asked without expression: "Comrade Colonel, although we demand that the German peripheral positions be cleared and the attack on chernowitzer be launched before dark. But if we don't have enough time for artillery preparation to destroy the German defense system, we will order our infantry to launch such a large-scale attack. Aren't they going to die? "

The old Colonel's face was embarrassed after I scolded him for a few words. His eyes looked at katukov beside me and asked him for help. At this time, katukov quickly came out and said, "Rita, you misunderstood. Comrade colonel is not irresponsible for the lives of the commanders and fighters. Before we arrived here, they launched two attacks and found out the position of the German firepower. I observed and found that the fire points that survived the first two rounds of shelling were also cleared by our army's shelling in the just concluded shelling. "

After listening to katukov's explanation, I knew that I had wronged the old colonel. When I was considering whether I should apologize to the other party, veradelle came to the old colonel and said, "Comrade Colonel, I have ordered all the tank brigades to attack. Please inform the infantry in front of me to make way for our tanks."

Although veradelle was very polite, the old Colonel gave up. He glared and retorted, "why, Colonel villadre, even without the help of your tank brigade, our 24th infantry division can occupy the German position."

Perhaps for the sake of respecting the elderly, veradelle did not argue with the old colonel, but left the contradiction to katukov: "Comrade commander, what do you think we should do?"

In the face of the contradiction between the two, katukov obviously favors veradelle. After all, this is his old subordinate. He said to the old Colonel: "although the German firepower points were basically clear in the shelling, no one knows how many survived. If you only rely on your infantry to eliminate these firepower points, it is bound to be a great sacrifice. You immediately order the infantry to get out of the way and let our tanks go ahead. "

"Yes, comrade commander." The old Colonel reluctantly agreed and turned to give orders to his troops.

As the order was given, the infantry commanders and fighters who were charging flashed aside one after another to make way for the tanks that were rumbling towards the German position. Seeing that our army's officers and men had entered the range one after another, countless helmets came out of the work which had been loosened by the gunfire, and then several German machine guns began to fire.

As the tanks of the 100th brigade rushed to the front, the bullets fired by the German machine gun hit the tank body and spattered a series of sparks. Our tanks slowed down and used tank guns and coaxial machine guns to eliminate the resurrected fire points.

Under the attack of powerful firepower, the rampant firepower spot on the German position was silent again. The tank speeded up again and rumbled over the German trench. With the impact of tanks, some of the infantry went down on one knee after a few steps, aimed at the front and fired a gun, then continued to rush forward; Some of them use the butt of a submachine gun or assault rifle to pull the trigger from time to time as they rush forward.

By the time our tanks ran over the trench, the German resistance had crumbled. When the infantry rushed up, they were surprised to find that in addition to the German soldiers who had been killed and bombed, there were only some half dead and wounded soldiers in the trenches. Those soldiers who had not been injured had already fled to the back trenches along the traffic trenches.

When I saw this scene through the telescope, I couldn't help giving orders: "leave one regiment to clean up the remnant enemy and clean up the battlefield, and the remaining two regiments to continue to follow the tank brigade! The enemy has fallen into chaos, and they can no longer organize effective resistance. We should take advantage of the victory to pursue, quickly clear the German positions outside the city, and then go straight to chernovitzer... "

After my series of orders, I didn't hear any response. Unexpectedly, I put down my telescope and turned to look back. The old colonel and Vera delle were looking at me in amazement. When I saw their expression, I suddenly remembered that I was not in my own headquarters. This was a unit under the command of katukov. I gave orders to them, which was a bit of a bit of a bully.

Just when I was embarrassed, katukov's loud voice came to me: "two colonels, what's the matter with you? Didn't you hear the order from the deputy commander of the front army?"

Seeing that they were still standing there, katukov stepped forward two steps, stood side by side with me, and said with a smile, "don't you know that Lida is now Acting Deputy Commander of the front army? Can't her orders compare with mine? "

Hearing what katukov said, they immediately turned their eyes to me and answered loudly, "yes, deputy commander of the front army, we promise you that we will clear the German positions outside the city in the shortest time and launch the attack on chernovitzer before dark."

When they went to deliver orders to their subordinates, I turned to katukov and said gratefully, "thank you, general katukov. If it wasn't for you, I just didn't know how to step down."

Katukov said to me with a wry smile: "Rita, don't forget your current status. Don't always put yourself in the position of liaison officer. You are the deputy commander of the front army. Even if you are just an agent, you have the right to issue all kinds of combat orders to the troops of the front army."

What he said reminds me that I am now also the deputy commander of the front army. I came to the 1st group army of his tanks not to be a liaison, but to be responsible for the coordinated operations between them and the friendly forces. My present position is a bit similar to that of the Ming Dynasty. In military affairs, I not only have the right to speak, but also have the right to decide. During this period of time, katukov has played a low key role. If it continues like this, it is estimated that it will leave a bad impression on the members of the base camp and even affect their future.

I realized that the moment I came back to Ukraine, I began to be too mediocre. Originally, many people had a lot of private discussions about my position as commander of the group army, thinking that I was in charge by some improper means. After being appointed deputy commander of the front army by Zhukov, I became the target of public criticism. If I can't show my command ability beyond other commanders, then my time in this position will be numbered.

At this moment, seeing that katukov intended to hand over the troops to me, I would not give up. After nodding to katukov, I saw the staff officer who came here with us and came in from the outside. I waved to him. When he came to us, I asked, "staff officer, where is the army of general dlyomov now?"

When the staff officer saw that it was me, not katukov, who asked the question, he was stunned. But when he saw katukov nodding at him, indicating that he would obey my orders, he pointed to the map and continued: "Comrade deputy commander of the front army, according to the latest information we have, general dlyomov's mechanized 8th Army of guards has reached the northwest of the city and is attacking the German peripheral positions."

As soon as he finished, I continued to ask, "what's the current situation of the war? Is general de liaomov's troops going well?"

The staff officer nodded and replied, "yes. A few minutes ago, our radio station just received a report from general de liaomov that the 20th brigade of motorized infantry of Colonel babajanian, with the cooperation of the 1st Brigade of close guard tank of Colonel gorelov, has successfully captured the first line of defense of the German army. "

"Why didn't the information be reported in time?" When katukov heard this, he couldn't help interrupting.

"Comrade commander," the staff officer seemed to be a real man. Hearing katukov's dissatisfaction, he replied in a flustered way, "as soon as I receive this information, I will report to you."

I wanted to help the staff officer, so I pointed to the map and said to katukov, "general katukov, you see, now the two armies of dlyomov and getman, just like the two jaws of pincers, are holding chernovitzer hard. Judging from the current battlefield situation, we can eliminate the German peripheral positions and launch attacks on the city before dark. "

"I agree with you." Katukov pointed the map with his hand and said to me, "however, judging from the current situation, general dlyomov is still too cautious in his use of troops. In such a wide offensive area, he has only invested in a tank brigade and a motorized brigade. The remaining three mechanized brigades, is he going to stay and give birth? "

"Yes, general katukov." Now there are our planes in the sky to provide air cover, and the number of artillery and tanks on the ground far exceeds that of the enemy. The whole battlefield situation is very favorable to us, but this way of playing is too conservative. Therefore, I echoed katukov and said, "as long as we increase our military input, the enemy in the northwest and west of the city will be eliminated soon. In this way, we can attack from both directions at the same time. "

Katukov stood up straight and told the staff officer who was still standing beside him: "send a telegram to general dlyomov immediately and order him to put the three mechanized brigades into combat immediately, so as not to delay the fight."

…………

Two hours later, after receiving a call from the front commander, the old Colonel excitedly reported to katukov: "good news, comrade commander. According to the frontier report, the peripheral positions to the north and northeast of chernovitzer have been completely occupied by our troops, and my troops are approaching the city. "

As soon as his report was over, veradelle, who had finished talking with his subordinates, came quickly. From the joy on his face, I knew that he must have brought us good news, so I asked in advance, "Colonel veradelle, do you have any good news for us?"

"Yes, general oshanina." Veradelle unconsciously returned to what he used to call me, but he didn't notice it at all. He still happily reported: "one of my tank companies has rushed into the city from the north along the road."

"What?" Hearing the news, katukov rushed to him, grabbed him by the shoulder, and asked with some gaffe, "Colonel, what did you just say? A tank company has rushed into the city?"“ Exactly, comrade commander. " Veradelle replied with a smile: "I asked specifically. The first tank company that rushed into chernovitzer was nikitin company of the original tank 200th brigade."“ That's great. That's great. " After confirming the hour, katukov said excitedly to the villadre in front of him: "Colonel villadre, you go back to the brigade immediately and direct the battle yourself. And you, "katukov continued, turning his eyes to the old colonel," except for leaving a few troops to hold on to the occupied perimeter, the rest are following the tank brigade and attacking the city. " After the two colonels left, katukov grabbed the phone from the desk and dialed the army headquarters. As soon as he heard Guttman's voice, he said aloud, "Hello, Guttman? I'm katukov. How many troops do you have? " Gertman, who stayed on the North Bank of the Prut River, obviously did not know at the moment that the 24th infantry division had cleared the German peripheral positions. Therefore, after hearing katukov's question, he hesitated for a long time and then replied, "Comrade commander, you know, my 64th tank brigade is sticking at the airport; And the 100th tank brigade and the 24th Infantry Division... "" well, I know what you're saying. " Without waiting for him to finish, katukov cut him off and said, "now you just need to tell me how many troops you can use?" Seeing the signs of katukov's anger again, Gutman replied in a hurry: "there is also a tank brigade and a mechanized brigade. However, comrade commander, I intend to put these reserves into combat after they fail to attack the peripheral positions. "“ General Gutman, I have good news for you. The German positions on the periphery have been cleared by our army. " After katukov reported the good news to gertman, he gave orders again: "put all the troops in your hands into battle immediately. Besides, your headquarters will move forward immediately and move to the 24th infantry division. "